Establishing location tracking information based on a plurality of locating category options

ABSTRACT

A method includes determining a first locating category of a plurality of locating categories based on an initial locating parameter. The method further includes selecting, when available, a first locating category option from the first locating category to produce a first selected locating category option. The method further includes selecting, when available, a second locating category option from a second locating category based on the first selected locating category option to produce a second selected locating category option, and a third locating category option from a third locating category based on at least one of the first and second selected locating category options to produce a third selected locating category option. The method further includes establishing location tracking communication from a first communication device to a second communication device regarding location information of the first communication device based on the first, second, and third selected locating category options.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility applicationSer. No. 15/630,718, entitled “SYNCHRONIZING LOCATION STATUS INFORMATIONIN A COMPUTING SYSTEM,” filed Jun. 22, 2017, which claims prioritypursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/354,523, entitled “SYNCHRONIZING LOCATION STATUS INFORMATION IN ACOMPUTING SYSTEM,” filed Jun. 24, 2016, both of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety and made part of thepresent U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to computing systems and moreparticularly to development of location context information forutilization by location driven functions of the computing systems.

Description of Related Art

The use of location information by location driven functions ofcomputing systems is well known, where location information includes oneor more of an absolute location (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)derived location) and a relative location (e.g., with respect to a knownlocation). Location driven functions include a wide variety ofapplications including navigational aids (e.g., routes for driving,bicycling, walking, etc.), service delivery aids (e.g., vehicle routeoptimization, schedule adherence, etc.), retail shopping aids (e.g.,proximity of available product, etc.), and safety and security aids(e.g., motorist assist, personal assist, asset tracking, peopletracking, etc.).

The computing systems are known to include computing devices. Examplesof the computing devices includes a smart phone, a tablet computer, alaptop computer, a vehicular computing device, a data storage server,and a data processing server. Basically, any device that includes acomputing unit, one or more interfaces, and a memory system may bedeemed as a computing device.

As is further known, the computing devices may be utilized to obtainlocation information associated with a particular computing device. In aself-determination approach, a computing device may determine locationinformation associated with the computing device. In anassisted-determination approach, other computing devices may determinethe location information associated with the computing device.

The self-determination approaches include receiving GPS signals anddetermining the location information, mapping received Wi-Fi hotspotidentifiers to produce the location information, and mapping receivedBluetooth beacon identifiers to produce the location information. Theassisted-determination approaches include receiving wireless signalsfrom the computing device (e.g., cellular, Wi-Fi, radiofrequencyidentifier (RFID) tag, Bluetooth, etc.) and analyzing the wirelesssignals utilizing a signal analysis approach. Signal analysis approachesinclude time of arrival, time difference of arrival, relative signalstrength, triangulating utilizing a plurality of received wirelesssignals, and analysis of wireless network registration and site handoverinformation (e.g., cellular site registration, cellular signal andtiming metrics, Wi-Fi hotspot affiliation, etc.)

The location determining approaches are known to be associated withparticular geographic regions and limitations. Examples of thegeographic regions includes outdoors-centric with limited indoors andin-vehicle availability (e.g., GPS, other satellite-based locationsystems) and indoors-centric with limited location accuracy and limitedavailability (e.g., proximity to one or more Wi-Fi hotspots or Bluetoothbeacons). Despite advances in location technologies, it is widelyrecognized that there is not a single location technology to fit allapplications (e.g., broad coverage of all geographic regions ofinterest).

It is well-known that communication of the location information to thelocation driven functions may be carried out by an associatedcommunication technology and/or an adjunct communication technology. Forexample, a Wi-Fi message is the associated communication technology whenthe Wi-Fi hotspot identifier is utilized to produce the locationinformation. As another example, a cellular communication system messageis the adjunct communication technology when the GPS signals areutilized to produce the location information. Despite advances incommunication technology, it is widely recognized that there is not asingle communication technology to provide the communication of thelocation information in light of other desires beyond the communicationof the location information (e.g., battery life of a portable computingdevice, network charges, equipment costs, indoor vs. outdoors, etc.).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computingsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of user device of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of user deviceof a computing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a control serverof a computing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a computingsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method of establishinglocation tracking information based on a plurality of locating categoryoptions in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an example of selecting a plurality of locating categoryoptions in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is another example of selecting a plurality of locating categoryoptions in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is another example of selecting a plurality of locating categoryoptions in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is another example of selecting a plurality of locating categoryoptions in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computingsystem 10 that includes wireless location networks 28, user devices 12,user devices 14, a wireless network 16, a control server 18, subscriberdevices 22, a network 24, and a data source 26. The wireless locationnetworks 28 include a plurality of wireless location devices 42 thatcommunicate wireless location signals 32 with the user devices 12 and14. Each wireless location device 42 may be implemented utilizing one ormore of a portion of a global positioning system (GPS) satelliteconstellation, a portion of a private location service, a wireless localarea network (WLAN) access point, a Bluetooth (BT) beacon and/orcommunication unit, and a radiofrequency identifier (RFID) tag and/ortransceiver. Each wireless location device 42 generates and transmitsthe wireless location signals 32 in accordance with one or more wirelesslocation industry standards (e.g., including synchronize timinginformation (i.e., GPS), and a geographic reference identifier (ID)(i.e., a beacon ID, a media access control (MAC) address, an accesspoint ID such as a wireless local area network service set identifier(SSID)).

The user devices 12 includes one or more user devices 12, where eachuser device 12 may be implemented utilizing one or more portablecomputing devices. Examples of portable computing devices include anembedded clothing package, an asset tracking package, a computer dongle,embedded vehicular electronics, a smart phone, a tablet computer, alaptop, a handheld computer, and/or any other device that includes acomputing core and is capable of operating in a portable mode untetheredfrom a fixed and/or wired network. For example, a particular user device12 is implemented utilizing the embedded clothing package, where theembedded clothing package is designed for ease of use within clothing(e.g., small size, lightweight, etc.). At least some of the user devices12 may be capable to transmit the wireless location signals 32 to otheruser devices 12 and/or to at least some of the user devices 14.

The user devices 14 includes one or more user devices 14, where eachuser device 14 may be implemented utilizing one or more portablecomputing devices. For example, a particular user device 14 isimplemented utilizing the smart phone, where the smart phone is designedfor a wide variety of functionality (e.g., medium size, battery capacityto supply a color display and frequent wireless communications, etc.).At least some of the user devices 14 may be capable to transmit thewireless location signals 32 to the user devices 12 and/or to other userdevices 14.

The wireless network 16 includes a plurality of wireless access devices30. Each wireless access device 30 may be implemented utilizing one ormore of a portion of a wireless communication network. Each wirelesscommunications network includes one or more of a public wirelesscommunication system and a private wireless communication system and mayoperate in accordance with one or more wireless industry standardsincluding universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), globalsystem for mobile communications (GSM), long term evolution (LTE),wideband code division multiplexing (WCDMA), and IEEE 802.11. Forexample, a first wireless access device 30 is implemented utilizing abase station of a LTE cellular network and a second wireless accessdevice 30 is implemented utilizing a wireless LAN access point.

Each wireless access device 30 sends wireless communications signals 34to the user devices 12 and 14 and receives wireless communicationssignals 34 from the user devices 12 and 14 to communicate applicationmessages 36. The wireless communication signals 34 includes encodedforms of application messages 36 in accordance with the one or morewireless industry standards. The application messages 36 includesinstructions and/or data associated with one or more location drivenfunctions to be processed by one or more computing devices of thecomputing system 10. The user devices 12 and 14 may send and receive thewireless communications signals 34 directly between two or more userdevices 12 and 14.

The components of the computing system 10 are coupled via the network24, which may include one or more of wireless and/or wirelinecommunications systems, one or more private communications systems, apublic Internet system, one or more local area networks (LAN), and oneor more wide area networks (WAN). For example, the network 24 isimplemented utilizing the Internet to provide connectivity between thewireless network 16, the subscriber devices 22, the data source 26, andthe control server 18.

The control server 18 includes at least one processing module 44 and adatabase 20. The processing module 44 processes the application messages36 and manages storage of current and historical application information38 within the database 20. The application information includes one ormore of user account information, user device recommendations, userdevice configuration information, and user device status information(e.g., information associated with one or more user devices 12 and 14).The user account information includes one or more of IDs, permissions,affinity relationships of individuals and groups, and privacyrequirements. The user device recommendations include one or more of alocation synchronization approach, a location determination approach,and a communications path approach (e.g., requirements, recommendedidentifiers of computing devices associated with wireless communication,recommended power levels, recommended paths).

The user device configuration includes one or more of a reporting mode(e.g., autonomous, when requested, by exception, scheduled), reportingtriggers, location format, status type reporting, required sensor data,wireless network list, other user device list, a wireless locationnetwork list, power consumption goals, backhaul assist limits forothers, landmark information, geographic fence information, affiliateduser device identifiers, etc. The user device status information (i.e.,status information) includes one or more of a user ID, a user device ID,a location (e.g., absolute, relative, coordinates, address, etc.), anavailability level, a user device battery remaining energy level, anaverage power consumption level, a schedule adherence indicator, ahealth indicator, and an emergency indicator.

Storing and processing application information 38 allows the processingmodule 44 to establish rules for each user device 12 or 14 of thecomputing system 10 via machine learning (i.e., analyzing applicationinformation and user device actions for patterns), interpreting sensorcontext, user device overrides and/or manual settings.

The subscriber devices 22 includes one or more subscriber devices 22,where each subscriber device 22 may be implemented utilizing one or moreof a portable computing device and a fixed computing device (e.g., adesktop computer, a cable television set-top box, an application server,an internet television user interface and/or any other fixed device thatincludes a computing device). Such a portable or fixed computing devicemay include one or more of a computing core (e.g., providing processingmodule functionality), one or more wireless modems, sensors, and one ormore user interfaces. The subscriber device 22 communicates applicationmessages 36 with the control server 18 and one or more of the userdevices 12 and 14. For example, the subscriber device 22 obtains andprocesses the status information from the user device 12.

The data source 26 may be implemented utilizing one or more of a server,a subscription service, a website data feed, or any other portal to datamessages 40 that provide utility for synchronization of the statusinformation between the user device 12 and the subscriber device 22.Examples of the data source 26 includes one or more of a weatherservice, a screen scraping algorithm, a website, another database, aschedule server, a live traffic information feed, an information server,a service provider, and a data aggregator. The data messages 40 includeone or more of weather information, a user daily activity schedule(e.g., a school schedule, a work schedule, a delivery schedule, a publictransportation schedule), real-time traffic conditions, a roadconstruction schedule a community event schedule, and other schedulesassociated with a user.

In general, and with respect to the synchronizing of status informationbetween the user device 12 and the subscriber device 22 (e.g., providingcurrent status information of the user device 12 within a desired timeframe to the subscriber device 22), the computing system 10 supportsfour primary functions. The four primary functions include determiningan approach to the synchronizing of the status information (e.g.,determining a location synchronization approach, determining a locationdetermination approach), generating the status information (e.g.,generating status information based on manually created, sensor contextcreated, and/or machine learned rules; generating status informationfrom a triggered response (e.g., motion detection, sharp barometerchanges, etc.); determining a current location of the user device 12;and generating location synchronization information as the statusinformation to include the current location), identifying acommunication path to communicate the status information from the userdevice 12 to the subscriber device 22, and communicating the statusinformation from the user device 12 to the subscriber device 22utilizing the communication path.

The first primary function includes the computing system 10 determiningthe approach to synchronize the status information. In an example ofoperation of the determining the approach to synchronize the statusinformation, the user device 12 obtains a location synchronizationapproach. The location synchronization approaches include performingregularly scheduled updates, by exception (i.e., off schedule, outsideof a particular geographic region, movement, motion pattern trigger,emergency trigger), transport mode (i.e., walk, bicycle, car, air), whenin proximity to a waypoint, when in proximity, or not, to a particularassisting entity (i.e., a user device 14 that can help with locationdetermination and communication), upon request, when a locationdetermination approach exceeds a high threshold level of expectedperformance (i.e., very low power required to gather and reportlocation), proximity to other known user devices 12. The obtaining ofthe location synchronization approach may be based on one or more of apredetermination, guidance from the subscriber device, a currentlocation, a current status of the user device 12 (e.g., needs help,normal).

For example, the user device 12 determines to synchronize the statusinformation when detecting an unfavorable schedule adherence (e.g., acurrent location is ahead or behind a predetermined schedule). Asanother example, user devices 14 determine that the status information(e.g., time of day, day of week) stored locally on a user device 12indicates a current status of “normal” (e.g., the user is a child atschool at 2 PM on Monday). User devices 14 may share this “normal”status with subscriber device 22 without the user device 12 expendingpower to report back to subscriber device 22. As another example, userdevice 12 detects Wi-Fi signals indicating that a particular location isconsidered “safe” and/or “normal” (e.g., the user is a child at schoolat 2:00 PM on Monday) thus no location updates or synchronizations aretriggered. If, for example, the user device 12 detects that the locationis no longer “safe” and/or “normal” (e.g., the child is now at school at3:45 PM on Monday which is 15 minutes past the “normal” time range) theuser device 12 will initiate an approach to synchronize the statusinformation with subscriber device 22. Alternatively, the processingmodule 44 determines the approach to synchronize the status information.

Having obtained the location synchronization approach, the user device12 obtains a location determination approach. The location determinationapproach includes one or more of autonomously determining a currentlocation, facilitating an assisted approach utilizing other computingdevices of the computing system 10, one or more technology types (e.g.,GPS, SSID, beacon, MAC address), and utilizing a last known location.The obtaining may be based on one or more of the locationsynchronization approach, availability of one or more location assets(e.g., to assist), requirements of the location determination approach(e.g., accuracy level, relative location versus absolute location, powerrequirements, priority level), a predetermination, and interpretation ofguidance from the subscriber device 22, and selecting an approach thatproduces location information most favorably in accordance with therequirements. For example, the user device 12 determines to utilize GPSlocation information from a user device 14 when detecting proximity ofthe user device 14 and where the user device 14 generates acceptablelocation information. Alternatively, the processing module 44 determinesthe location determination approach.

The second primary function includes the computing system 10 generatingthe status information. In an example of operation of the generating ofthe status information, the user device 12 interprets wireless locationsignals 32 from the wireless location networks 28 to produce an absolutelocation associated with the user device 12 (e.g., a GPS-basedlocation), interprets a user input to produce a status associated with auser of the user device (e.g., I'm okay pushbutton), and produces thestatus information to include the status associated with the user and/orthe absolute location associated with the user device. As anotherexample, the user device 12 interprets at least one of a wirelesslocation signal 32 from a user device 14 and a wireless communicationsignal 34 from the user device 14 to produce a relative locationassociation between the user device 14 and with the user device 12(e.g., within a Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi range proximity of the userdevice 14, based on signal strength, an absolute GPS location of theuser device 14), interprets the user input to produce the statusassociated with the user, and produces the status information to includethe status associated with the user and/or the relative location.

As yet another example of the generating of the status information, theuser device 12 interprets another wireless location signal 32 from awireless location device 42 to produce a relative location associatedwith the wireless location device 42 (e.g., within a Wi-Fi rangeproximity of the wireless location device 42, and absolute location ofthe wireless location device 42 based on interpreting a Wi-Fi mapping),interprets the user input to produce the status associated with theuser, and produces the status information to include the statusassociated with the user and the relative location of the wirelesslocation device 42. Alternatively, or in addition to, the user device 12may utilize wireless location signals 32 from a plurality of wirelesslocation devices 42 and user devices 14 to produce the statusinformation. For example, the user device 12 receives a wirelesscommunication signal 34 from a first user device 14, receives a wirelesscommunication signal 34 from a second user device 14, receives anotherwireless communication signal 34 from a third user device 14, andestimates an absolute location of the user device 12 based on thereceived signals (e.g., triangulate).

The third primary function includes the computing system 10 identifyingthe communication path to synchronize the status information. In anexample of operation of the identifying the communication path, the userdevice 12 identifies the communication path for communication of thestatus information (e.g., including the location synchronizationinformation) to each of one or more synchronization entities (i.e., toone or more subscriber devices and/or user devices 14 either directly orvia one or more intermediate communication nodes). Examples of thecommunication path include direct from the user device 12 to a wirelessaccess device 30, and indirect via one or more user devices 14 and/orone or more other user devices 12 (e.g., a temporary mesh network).

The identifying of the communication path includes or more ofidentifying the synchronization entities (i.e., via a list, interpretinga query response), identifying other user devices 12 to aggregatelocation synchronization information, interpreting a communication pathtest result, interpreting path history (e.g., a last utilizedcommunication path), identifying preferred intermediate communicationnodes (e.g., a series of user devices 12), estimating required costs(e.g., wireless network 16) and/or power requirements for each of one ormore identified paths (e.g., potential battery remaining energy leveldegradation for the user device 12, other user devices 12, and one ormore user devices 14), determining a communication path status (i.e.active/inactive), generating a ranking of the one or more identifiedcommunication paths based on requirements of the communications path(e.g., select a highest ranked communications path with regards tomatching requirements). For example, the user device 12 identifiesanother user device 12 with a higher level of remaining stored batteryenergy to serve as an intermediate node, and identifies a user device 14within wireless communication signals range of the other user device 12,where the user device 14 is favorably operably coupled via wirelesscommunication signals 34 to a wireless access device 30, and where thewireless access device 30 is actively operably coupled to the controlserver 18 and to a subscriber device 22 via the network 24. As anotherexample, the user device 12 identifies another user device 14 withinwireless communication signals range of the user device 12, where theuser device 14 indicates that user device 14 is identified to aggregatestatus information from device 12 and at least one other user device 12for communication of the aggregated status information via wirelesscommunication signals 34 to the wireless access device 30 etc.

The fourth primary function includes the computing system 10communicating the status information. In an example of operation of thecommunicating the status information, the user device 12 facilitates,for each synchronization entity, communication of the locationsynchronization information utilizing an identified associatedcommunication path in accordance with the location synchronizationapproach. The facilitating includes one or more of generating anapplication message 36 for encoding utilizing wireless communicationsignals 34, where the application message 36 includes one or more of anidentifier of the user device 12, location coordinates, a locationaddress, a geographic location identifier, an identifier of a wirelesslocation device, and an identifier of an associated user device 14; andtransmitting the wireless communication signals 34 in accordance withthe associated communication path synchronization entity (e.g., to theuser device 14, forwards to the wireless access device 30, forwards tothe subscriber device 22, and may replicate the application message tosend the replicated application message to the control server 18).Having received of the status information including the locationsecuritization information, the subscribed device 22 may display thestatus information. Alternatively, or in addition to, when receiving theapplication message 36, the processing module 44 stores the statusinformation with a timestamp as application information 38 in thedatabase 20.

Alternatively, or in addition to, the subscriber device 22 facilitatesstoring of application information including one or more of the useraccount information, the user device recommendations, and the userdevice configuration in the database 20. For example, the subscriberdevice 22 identifies a particular user device 12 for association withthe subscriber device 22, establishes privacy requirements (e.g.,restrictions on communicating status information), identifies aplurality of user devices 14 associated with trusted watchers (e.g.,users of the user devices 14 with an affiliation with the particularuser device 12, i.e., family members of a child associated with the userdevice 12), a desired number of days of battery life between recharging(i.e., power requirements), a daily schedule (i.e., a school scheduleand after school schedule associated with the child), and an indicationto synchronize the status information upon exceptions to the school andafter school schedules as the location synchronization approach. Havingupdated the database 20, the processing module 44 may transmit a portionof the updated database 20 to the user device 12 to facilitate operationof the user device 12 utilizing one or more elements of the applicationinformation.

FIG. 1B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system 10 that includes user devices 12, control server 18, aplurality of locating categories 19, subscriber devices 22, network 24,and peer devices 33. The locating categories 19 include various locatingcategory options for creating and/or establishing location trackinginformation 35 regarding user devices 12 affiliated with a person,persons, an item, and/or items and communicating that information to oneor more subscriber devices 22.

The locating categories 19 includes a location modality category 23(e.g., various location tracking technologies that may be availableand/or desirable), a locating function category 25 (e.g., a desireddegree and/or rate of tracking), and a communication medium category 27(e.g., various mechanisms for communicating tracking information tosubscriber devices 22). Each of the locating categories 19 includes aplurality of locating category options. The location modality category23 includes the locating category options of global positioning system(GPS), wireless local area network (WLAN), cellular triangulation,cellular coverage area, Wi-Fi coverage area Bluetooth (BT), and radiofrequency identification (RFID). The locating function category 25includes the locating category options of proximity locating, routetracking, proximal geographical locating, accurate geographicallocating, and tracking rate (e.g., periodic tracking, continuoustracking, etc.). The communication medium category 27 includes thelocating category options of personal area networks, BT, cellular, WLAN,and cellular phone peer network.

User devices 12 are small, portable computing devices capable oftracking the location of an object and/or person it is associated with.For example, user devices 12 are small, lightweight devices (e.g., lessthan 2 inches by 2 inches by 1 inch and weighs less than a pound) thatcan be easily attached to or embedded into clothing and accessories(e.g., shoes, backpack, keychain, belt, etc.) or other objects (e.g.,packages, items of value, etc.). As a specific example, a parent maywish to track the location of his or her child while the child is on theway to school, at school, and/or on the way home from school. To trackthese locations, the parent attaches user device 12 to the child such ason the child's backpack, belt, or shoe.

Subscriber devices 22 are computing devices that are associated withuser(s) desiring to monitor the object(s) and/or person(s) associatedwith user devices 12. For example, a subscriber device 22 may beassociated with a parent who wishes to track the location of his or herchild via a user device 12 that is attached to the child in some way.Subscriber devices 22 may be implemented utilizing one or more of aportable computing device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet computer, alaptop, a handheld computer, and/or any other device that includes acomputing core and is capable of operating in a portable mode untetheredfrom a fixed and/or wired network) and a fixed computing device (e.g., adesktop computer, a cable television set-top box, an application server,an internet television user interface and/or any other fixed device thatincludes a computing core). Such a portable or fixed computing devicemay include one or more of a computing core (e.g., providing processingmodule functionality), one or more wireless modems, sensors, and one ormore user interfaces.

Peer devices 33 are portable computing devices that are trusted by theusers of user devices 12 and can communicate via a wireless personalarea network. For example, a wireless personal area networkinterconnects a peer device 33 (e.g., a cell phone) with a user device12 and/or another peer device 33 via a Bluetooth (BT) link, a 60 GHzlink, or other close proximity wireless protocol. Peer devices 33 may beimplemented utilizing one or more portable computing devices. Forexample, peer devices 33 include one or more of a smart phone, a tabletcomputer, a laptop, a handheld computer, and/or any other device thatincludes a computing core and is capable of operating in a portable modeuntethered from a fixed and/or wired network. For example, a particularpeer device 33 is implemented utilizing a smart phone, where the smartphone is designed for a wide variety of functionality (e.g., mediumsize, battery capacity to supply a color display and frequent wirelesscommunications, etc.). At least some of the peer devices 33 are capableto transmit the wireless location signals of the user devices 12 toother peer devices 33, to a WLAN, and/or to a cellular network.

As discussed in reference to FIG. 1A, the control server 18 includes atleast one processing module 44 and a database 20. The processing module44 establishes rules for each user device 12 and peer device 33 viamachine learning (i.e., analyzing user device actions and past behaviorfor patterns), interpreting sensor context, user device overrides and/ormanual settings. The processing module 44 facilitates storage ofhistorical location tracking information and user device 12/peer device33 information (e.g., IDs, permissions, affinity relationships ofindividuals and groups, privacy requirements, user account information,user device 12 recommendations, user device 12 reporting modes (e.g.,autonomous, when requested, by exception, scheduled), reportingtriggers, status type reporting, required sensor data, wireless networklist, a wireless location network list, power consumption goals,backhaul assist limits for others, landmark information, geographicfence information, availability levels, device battery remaining energylevels, device average power consumption levels, a user device 12schedule adherence indicator, a user device 12 health indicator, and auser device 12 emergency indicator etc.) in database 20. User devices12, peer devices 33, and subscriber devices 22 are connected to controlserver 18 via network 24 and are operable to download and periodicallyupdate the latest rules from the control server 18.

In an example of operation, subscriber device 22 (e.g., a deviceoperated by a parent), user devices 12, and/or peer devices 33 determineto monitor the location of a user device 12 or a set of user devices 12(e.g., devices associated with a child the parent seeks to monitor)based on the rules established by the control server 18, deviceinitiation, and/or sensor data. For example, a control server 18established rule indicates that when user device 12 leaves school (i.e.,a designated “safe location”) location tracking automatically begins sothat subscriber devices 22 and/or peer devices 33 can view user device12 return safely home. As another example, user device 12 manuallyindicates (e.g., via hitting an emergency button) that location trackingis desired. As a further example, subscriber device 22 requests locationtracking during a particular event for which there is no locationtracking rule established by the control server 18 (e.g., while at themall, a crowded grocery store, etc.) As a further example, user device12 sensor data initiates tracking.

When location tracking is desired, an initial locating parameter 15 isdetermined. The initial locating parameter 15 is an indication fromsubscriber devices 22, user device(s) 12, and/or established rulesregarding locating user device(s) 12 that prioritizes at least one of afirst locating category of the plurality of locating categories 19 and afirst locating category option. For example, a subscriber device 22operated by the parent may request accurate geographical trackinginformation of the child as the initial locating parameter 15. Forinstance, the child has not arrived home when he or she was expected andthe parent wishes to know the exact location of the child for safetyreasons. As another example, accurate geographical tracking informationis initiated based on established rules (e.g., the control server 18fails to receive a scheduled “check-in” from user device 12). Based onthis initial locating parameter 15, the locating function category 25 isselected as the first locating category and the accurate geographicallocating option of the locating function category 25 is selected as thefirst selected locating category option when available. As anotherexample, the user device(s) 12 may indicate that is currently only hasconnectivity via cellular phone peer network utilizing one or more peerdevices 33. Based on this initial locating parameter 15, thecommunication medium category 27 is selected as the first locatingcategory and the cellular phone peer network option of the communicationmedium category 27 is selected as the first selected locating categoryoption when available.

As another example, the subscriber device 22 may determine thatBluetooth (BT) and/or WLAN tracking is available and/or the mostdesirable tracking while in a particular location (e.g., while at themall). Based on this initial locating parameter 15, the locationmodality category 23 is selected as the first locating category and theBluetooth (BT) and/or WLAN option of the location modality category 23is selected as the first selected locating category option whenavailable. A second locating category option is then selected based onthe first selected locating category option. For instance, when theaccurate geographical locating option of the locating function category25 is selected as the first selected locating category option, thesecond locating category option is selected to achieve accurategeographical tracking. For example, one or more of GPS, cellulartriangulation, and WLAN triangulation would be selected from thelocation modality category 23 as the second selected locating categoryoption where GPS would be prioritized among the three options.

As another example, when the cellular phone peer network option of thecommunication medium category 27 is selected as the first selectedlocating category option, the second locating category (locationmodality category 23) is limited to cellular modality options (e.g.,cellular triangulation, proximity to the location of the peer cellphone, and/or cellular coverage area). Thus, one or more of cellulartriangulation, proximity to the location of the peer cell phone, andcellular coverage area are selected as the second selected locatingcategory option.

A third locating category is then selected based on at least one of thefirst selected locating category option and the second selected locatingcategory option. For example, when the cellular phone peer networkoption of the communication medium category 27 is selected as the firstselected locating category option and if both second selected locatingcategory options are available (i.e., cellular triangulation andcellular coverage area are both available), one or more of proximitylocating, route tracking, proximal geographical locating, tracking rate,and accurate geographical locating can be selected from the locatingfunction category 25 as the third selected locating category option. If,however, only cellular coverage area is available, the options from thelocating function category 25 are limited to one or more of proximitylocating, route tracking, proximal geographical locating, and trackingrate.

When selections from all three locating categories are selected,location tracking information 35 is communicated from the user devices12 to the subscriber devices 22 and/or peer devices (e.g., directly orvia the control server 18 via network 24) based on the first, second,and third selected locating category options. For example, when theaccurate geographical locating option of the locating function category25 is selected as the first selected locating category option, the GPSoption of the location modality category 23 is selected as the secondselected locating category option, and cellular of the communicationmedium category 27 is selected as the third selected locating categoryoption, the subscriber device 22 will receive accurate geographicallocation tracking information 35 achieved by GPS and communicated fromthe user device 12 to the control server 18 (or the subscriber device 22directly) by cellular to make user device 12's location visible to allauthorized watchers on demand or via a push.

As another example, user device 12 connects to peer device 33 viaBluetooth in order to use peer device 33's GPS functionality. Peerdevice 33 connects to the control server 18 (or subscriber device 22directly) via cellular to make user device 12's location visible to allauthorized watchers on demand or via a push. As another example, theaccurate geographical locating option of the locating function category25 is selected as the first selected locating category option, the GPSoption of the location modality category 23 is selected as the secondselected locating category option, and Bluetooth of the communicationmedium category 27 is selected as the third selected locating categoryoption. For example, user device 12 connects to peer device 33 viaBluetooth in order to use peer device 33's GPS functionality. When peerdevice 33 is a trusted watcher, peer device 33 views the accurategeographical location tracking information 35 using its own GPS tomonitor user device 12 via Bluetooth.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the user device14/peer device 33 of the computing system 10 that includes a computingcore 50, a visual output device 74 (e.g., a display screen, alight-emitting diode), a user input device 76 (e.g., keypad, keyboard,touchscreen, voice to text, etc.), an audio output device 78 (e.g., aspeaker, a transducer, a motor), a visual input device 80 (e.g., aphotocell, a camera), a sensor 82 (e.g., an accelerometer, a velocitydetector, electronic compass, a motion detector, electronic gyroscope, atemperature device, a pressure device, an altitude device, a humiditydetector, a moisture detector, an image recognition detector, abiometric reader, an infrared detector, a radar detector, an ultrasonicdetector, a proximity detector, a magnetic field detector, a biologicalmaterial detector, a radiation detector, a mass and/or weight detector,a density detector, a chemical detector, a fluid flow volume detector, aDNA detector, a wind speed detector, a wind direction detector, a motionrecognition detector, and a battery level detector), one or moreuniversal serial bus (USB) devices 1-U, one or more peripheral devices,one or more memory devices (e.g., a flash memory device 92, one or morehard drives 94, one or more solid state (SS) memory devices 96, and/orcloud memory 98), an energy source 100 (e.g., a battery, a generator, asolar cell, and a fuel cell), one or more wireless location modems 84(e.g., a GPS receiver, a Wi-Fi transceiver, a Bluetooth transceiver,etc.), one or more wireless communication modems 86 (e.g., 4G cellular),a wired local area network (LAN) 88, and a wired wide area network (WAN)90

The computing core 50 includes a video graphics processing module 52,one or more processing modules 44, a memory controller 56, one or moremain memories 58 (e.g., RAM), one or more input/output (I/O) deviceinterface modules 62, an input/output (I/O) controller 60, a peripheralinterface 64, one or more USB interface modules 66, one or more networkinterface modules 72, one or more memory interface modules 70, and/orone or more peripheral device interface modules 68. Each of theinterface modules 62, 66, 68, 70, and 72 includes a combination ofhardware (e.g., connectors, wiring, etc.) and operational instructionsstored on memory (e.g., driver software) that is executed by theprocessing module 44 and/or a processing circuit within the interfacemodule. Each of the interface modules couples to one or more componentsof the user device 14. For example, one of the IO device interfacemodules 62 couples to an audio output device 78. As another example, oneof the memory interface modules 70 couples to flash memory 92 andanother one of the memory interface modules 70 couples to cloud memory98 (e.g., an on-line storage system and/or on-line backup system).

The main memory 58 and the one or more memory devices include a computerreadable storage medium that stores operational instructions that areexecuted by one or more processing modules 44 of one or more computingdevices (e.g., the user device 14) causing the one or more computingdevices to perform functions of the computing system 10. For example,the processing module 44 retrieves the stored operational instructionsfrom the HD memory 94 for execution.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of the userdevice 12 of the computing system 10 that includes a computing core 102,and elements of the user device 14 (e.g., FIG. 2), and may include oneor more of the visual output device 74, the user input device 76, theaudio output device 78, the sensor 82, the energy source 100, thewireless modem 84, and the plurality of wireless communication modems86. The computing core 102 includes the I/O device interface module 62of FIG. 2, the main memory 58 of FIG. 2, and the processing module 44 ofFIG. 2. The user device 12 may be constructed to provide functionalityto determine and communicate the status information in a cost-effectiveand low-power way. For example, the visual output device 74 isimplemented to include a multicolor LED, the user input device 76includes a switch, the audio output device 78 includes APs electricspeaker, the sensor 82 includes a motion sensor and a battery leveldetector, the energy source 100 includes small form factor rechargeablebatteries, the wireless location modem 84 includes a low-power GPSreceiver, a first wireless communication modem 86 includes a Wi-Fitransceiver, and a second wireless communication modem 86 includes aBluetooth transceiver.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the controlserver 18 of the computing system 10 that includes a computing core 110and elements of the user device 14 (e.g., FIG. 2), including one or moreof the visual output device 74, the user input device 76, the audiooutput device 78, the memories 92-98 to provide the database 20 of FIG.1, the wired LAN 88, and the wired WAN 90. The computing core 110includes elements of the computing core 50 of FIG. 2, including thevideo graphics module 52, the plurality of processing modules 44, thememory controller 56, the plurality of main memories 58, theinput-output controller 60, the input-output device interface module 62,the peripheral interface 64, the memory interface module 70, and thenetwork interface modules 72.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a computingsystem that includes a plurality of wireless location devices 42 of FIG.1A, the user device 12 of FIG. 1A, the user device 14 of FIG. 1A, thewireless access device 30 of FIG. 1A, and the subscriber device 22 ofFIG. 1A. The computing system functions to synchronize location statusinformation, associated with the user device 12, to the subscriberdevice 22.

In an example of operation of the synchronization, the user device 12obtains a location synchronization approach (e.g., under whatcircumstances to report location and status). The obtaining includes oneor more of utilizing a predetermination (e.g., a default configuration),utilizing guidance from the subscriber device 22 (e.g., in accordancewith a message from one or more of the control server 18 and thesubscriber device 22), determining the approach based on a currentlocation (e.g., update more often when not at home or school),determining the approach based on detecting other affiliated userdevices 12 and/or one or more affiliated user devices 14 and determiningthe approach based on a current status of a user associated with theuser device 12 (e.g., normal status, needs help, etc.). For example, theuser device 12 determines to synchronize location and status every 10minutes when there are no detectable affiliated user devices 12 anddetermines to synchronize the location and status every hour when atleast one other affiliated user device 12 is detected (e.g., anotherfamily member is nearby).

Having obtained the location synchronization approach, the user device12 obtains a location determination approach based on availability oflocation assets (e.g., available location determination assistance fromone or more user devices 14, from one or more other user devices 12, andwhether a GPS wireless location device 42 is detectable) and based onthe location synchronization approach. The obtaining includes one ormore of determining the applicability of a particular locationdetermination approach with regards to the location synchronizationapproach (e.g., a required frequency of providing location updates maybe too often to accommodate a particular location determination approachassociated with a lengthy process to produce a location), establishingwireless connectivity with the location assets (e.g., receiving wirelesslocation signals 32, receiving wireless communication signals 34),determining whether a particular location asset is able to provideassistance in determining the location, obtaining location requirements(e.g., from configuration information, from the subscriber device 22),where the requirements include one or more of absolute versus relative,location accuracy, power requirements for the location determination,and a priority level; utilizing the predetermination, and selecting anapproach from two or more identified approaches that produces thelocation most favorably in accordance with the requirements. Forexample, the user device 12 determines to utilize a GPS location of theuser device 14 to lower energy consumption of the user device 12 whenthe location determination requirements include minimize energyconsumption guidance and allow utilization of a location proxy of anearby location asset.

Having produced the location determination approach, the user device 12facilitates generating the location synchronization informationutilizing the location determination approach. For example, the userdevice 12 receives wireless location signals 32 from the user device 14,where the wireless location signals 32 includes a Bluetooth beaconidentifying the user device 14 and GPS coordinates associated with theuser device 14, where the user device 14 receives wireless locationsignals 32 from a plurality of wireless location devices 42 (e.g., GPSsatellite constellation) to produce the GPS coordinates. The generatingof the location synchronization information may further include the userdevice 12 reading a user input device (e.g., a push button switch, amotion detector) associated with the user device 12 to capture a currentstatus associated with a user of the user device 12. When utilizing thecurrent status, the user device 12 aggregates the location informationand the current status produce the location synchronization information.

Having generated the location synchronization information, the userdevice 12 identifies a communication path for communication of thelocation synchronization information to each of one or moresynchronization entities (e.g., to the subscriber device 22 inaccordance with configuration information). The identifying includes oneor more of identifying the synchronization entities (e.g., from a list,based on one or more requests, in accordance with the configurationinformation), identifying location synchronization from at least oneother user device 12 for aggregation (e.g., to save energy),interpreting a communication path test result (e.g., extracting latency,energy requirements, error rates, etc.), interpreting communication pathhistory (e.g., which path was favorably utilized most recently),identifying preferred intermediate communication nodes for potentiallyrelaying the location synchronization information (e.g., detecting oneor more user devices 14, detecting a wireless access device 30,detecting one or more user devices 12, detecting a virtual meshnetwork), estimating costs (e.g., network charges) estimating energyrequirements, determining a communication path status (e.g.,active/inactive), obtaining communication path requirements (e.g., fromthe configuration information, based on available energy levels of oneor more user devices, based on the location synchronization approach),generating a ranking of two or more communication paths measuringfavorability of communication path attributes to the communication pathrequirements, selecting a highest ranked communication path or a firstcommunication attempt (e.g., potential utilizing next rankedcommunication paths upon failure of a current communication attempt).

As an example of the identifying of the communication path, the userdevice 12 selects a communication path that includes transmitting awireless communication signal 34 from the user device 12 to the userdevice 14, where the user device 14 forwards an updated wirelesscommunication signal 34 to the wireless access device 30 forcommunication of an application message 36 (e.g., that includes thelocation synchronization information) to the subscriber device 22.Alternatively, the user device 12 identifies a next ranked communicationpath that includes sending wireless communication signals 34 directlyfrom the user device 12 to the wireless access device 30 (e.g., althoughwith a higher level of energy consumption).

Having produced the location synchronization information and havingidentified the communication path, for each synchronization entity(e.g., the subscriber device 22), the user device 12 facilitatescommunication of the location synchronization information to thesynchronization entity using an identified associated communication pathin accordance with the location synchronization approach (e.g., timedappropriately). For example, the user device 12 generates communicationpath instructions (e.g., details of the communication path), encodes thelocation synchronization information and the communication pathinstructions to produce wireless communication signals 34 (e.g., status,GPS accordance of the user device 14, an indicator that the location ofthe user device 14 is a proxy for the location of the user device 12, anidentifier the user device 12, identifiers of intermediate nodes of thecommunication path), and transmits the wireless communication signals 34to the user device 14 in accordance with the identified communicationpath, where the user device 14 decodes the wireless communicationsignals 34 to reproduce the location synchronization information andupdates the location synchronization information (e.g., adds anidentifier of the user device 14, updates the encapsulated GPS locationof the user device 14, aggregates other location synchronization fromother user devices 12 and/or user devices 14) and encodes the updatedlocation synchronization information to produce further wirelesscommunication signals 34 for transmission to the wireless access device30. When receiving the wireless communication signals 34, the wirelessaccess device 30 decodes the application message 36 that includes theupdated location synchronization information and sends the updatedlocation synchronization information to the subscriber device 22 forfurther processing and/or display.

Alternatively, or in addition to, the user device 12 identifies aparticular communication path to include a branch, where the locationsynchronization information follows the path for a first portion andthen is split into two different branches to communicate replicatedlocation synchronization information to two or more synchronizationentities. For example, the user device 12 encodes the locationsynchronization information and communication path instructions toproduce the wireless communication signals 34, sends the wirelesscommunication signals 34 to the user device 14, where the user device 14sends the further wireless communication signals 34 that includes theupdated location synchronization information to the wireless accessdevice 30, where the wireless access device 30 interprets communicationpath instructions to replicate the updated location synchronizationinformation and where the wireless access device 30 sends the updatedlocation synchronization information to the subscriber device 22 andsends the replicated updated location synchronization information to thecontrol server 18 for further processing and/or storage.

FIG. 6 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method of establishinglocation tracking information based on a plurality of locating categoryoptions. The method begins with step 112 where a first locating categoryof a plurality of locating categories is determined based on an initiallocating parameter. The plurality of locating categories includes alocation modality category, a locating function category, and acommunication medium category. Each of the plurality of locatingcategories includes a plurality of locating category options.

The location modality category includes the locating category options ofglobal positioning system (GPS), wireless local area network (WLAN),cellular triangulation, cellular coverage area, Wi-Fi coverage area,Bluetooth (BT), and radio frequency identification (RFID). The locatingfunction category includes the locating category options of proximitylocating, route tracking, proximal geographical locating, accurategeographical locating, and tracking rate. The communication mediumcategory includes the locating category options of personal areanetworks, BT, cellular, WLAN, and cellular phone peer network. Theinitial locating parameter is an indication from one of a first and asecond communication device and/or an indication based on rulesestablished by the control server prioritizing at least one of the firstlocating category and the first selected locating category option. Thefirst communication device is associated with a person or object forwhich monitoring location is desired (e.g., a child). The secondcommunication device is affiliated with a person desiring to monitor theperson or object for which monitoring location is desired (e.g., aparent).

For example, a second communication device may be affiliated with aparent that wishes to track a child's location with a firstcommunication device. The parent may request accurate geographicaltracking information as the initial locating parameter. For instance,the child has not arrived home when he or she was expected and theparent wishes to know the exact location of the child for safetyreasons. As another example, based on rules established by the controlserver 18, accurate geographical tracking information is selected basedon defined occurrences (e.g., the control server 18 fails to receive ascheduled “check-in” from user device 12). This initial locatingparameter prioritizes the locating function category and the locatingfunction category is selected as the first locating category.

The method continues with step 114 where a first locating categoryoption is selected from the first category option based on initiallocating parameter. Using the same example as above, based on accurategeographical tracking indicated as the initial locating parameter, theaccurate geographical locating option of the locating function categoryis selected as the first selected locating category option when thisoption is available.

The method continues with step 116 where a second locating categoryoption from a second locating category of the plurality of locatingcategories is selected based on the first selected locating categoryoption to produce a second selected locating category option. Using thesame example as above, when the accurate geographical locating option ofthe locating function category is selected as the first selectedlocating category option, the second locating category option isselected to achieve accurate geographical tracking. For example, one ormore of GPS, cellular triangulation, and WLAN triangulation is selectedfrom the location modality category as the second selected locatingcategory option where GPS is prioritized among the three options.

When the second selected locating category is not available, it isdetermined whether one or more other second locating category optionsfrom the second locating category are available based on the firstselected locating category option. For example, if GPS is not availableas a second selected locating category option (e.g., the firstcommunication device does not have GPS capability and is unable to usethe GPS of a peer device), it is determined whether cellulartriangulation and/or WLAN triangulation are available.

When the one or more other second locating category options areavailable, one or more of the one or more other second locating categoryoptions is selected as the second selected locating category optionbased on the first selected locating category option. For example, whenGPS is unavailable as the second locating category option, but cellulartriangulation and WLAN triangulation are, one or more of cellulartriangulation and WLAN triangulation is selected as the second selectedlocating category option.

However, when the one or more other second locating category options arenot available, the initial locating parameter is adjusted to prioritizeanother locating category option of the first locating category when oneor more other first locating category options of the first locatingcategory are available. For example, if GPS, cellular triangulation, andWLAN triangulation are not available, accurate geographical locating isno longer possible and the initial locating parameter must be adjusted.For example, when accurate geographical locating is not possible, theinitial locating parameter is adjusted to prioritize proximal locating.

When another locating category option of the first locating category isavailable, one of the one or more first locating category options isselected as the first selected locating category option based on theadjusted initial locating parameter. For example, if the adjustedinitial locating parameter is proximal locating, one or more of proximalgeographical locating, proximal locating, and/or route tracking may beselected as the first selected locating category option.

If one or more other first locating category options of the firstlocating category are not available, the devices wait a predeterminedamount of time for availability of the first selected locating categoryoption. As an example, an initial locating parameter indicated that thefirst communication device currently only has connectivity via acellular phone peer network. Cellular phone peer network is selected asthe first selected locating category option from the communicationmedium category, and based on that selection, one or more of cellulartriangulation and cellular coverage area are selected as the secondselected locating category option from the location modality category.However, if cellular service drops out, the second selected locatingcategory option as well as the first selected category option areunavailable. Because the first communication device previously only hadconnectivity via a cellular phone peer network prior to the outage, thedevices wait a predetermined amount of time for cellular service to comeback up or for another communication medium to become available (thuschanging the initial locating parameter).

The method continues with step 118 where a third locating categoryoption from a third locating category of the plurality of locatingcategories is selected based on at least one of the first selectedlocating category option and the second selected locating categoryoption to produce a third selected locating category option. Forexample, when the accurate geographical locating option of the locatingfunction category is selected as the first selected locating categoryoption, and GPS is selected as the second selected locating categoryoption (when available), one or more of personal area networks, BT,cellular, WLAN, and cellular phone peer network is selected as the thirdselected locating category option from the communication mediumcategory. The method continues with step 120 where location trackingcommunication is established from the first communication device to thesecond communication device regarding location information of the firstcommunication device based on the first, second, and third selectedlocating category options. For example, when the accurate geographicallocating option of the locating function category is selected as thefirst selected locating category option, the GPS option of the locationmodality category is selected as the second selected locating categoryoption, and cellular of the communication medium category is selected asthe third selected locating category option, the second communicationdevice will receive accurate geographical location tracking informationachieved by GPS from the first communication device and/or from thecontrol server (e.g., the first communication device connects to thecontrol server via cellular and the control sever makes the firstcommunication device's location visible to all authorized watchers) viacellular.

FIG. 7 is an example of selecting a plurality of locating categoryoptions. In this example, a subscriber device 22 is affiliated with aparent that wishes to track a child's location with user device 12. Theparent (e.g., subscriber device 22) requests accurate geographicaltracking information as the initial locating parameter 15. For instance,the child has not arrived home when he or she was expected and theparent wishes to know the exact location of the child for safetyreasons. As another example, based on rules 123 established by thecontrol server, accurate geographical tracking information is selectedbased on defined occurrences (e.g., the control server fails to receivea scheduled “check-in” from user device 12). As another example, userdevice 12 indicates that accurate geographical tracking information isrequested (e.g., the child hits an “emergency” button, user device 12contacts a sensor that triggers accurate tracking, etc.). Based on thisinitial locating parameter 15, the locating function category 25 isselected as the first locating category 122. Accurate geographicallocating is then selected from the locating function category 25 as thefirst selected locating category option when available. The subscriberdevice 22, user device 12, and/or rules 123 may also indicate a desiredtracking rate (e.g., continuous tracking) as part of the first selectedlocating category option.

Because the accurate geographical locating option of the locatingfunction category 25 is selected as the first selected locating categoryoption, the second locating category option is selected to achieveaccurate geographical tracking. For example, the location modalitycategory 23 is selected as the second locating category 124. One or moreof GPS, cellular triangulation, and WLAN triangulation are selected fromthe location modality category 23 as the second selected locatingcategory option where GPS is prioritized among the three options. Ifnone of these options are available, the subscriber device may have toadjust the initial locating parameter to prioritize another option(e.g., proximal tracking).

A third locating category option is then selected from the thirdlocating category (the communication medium category 27) based on atleast one of the first selected locating category option and the secondselected locating category option to produce a third selected locatingcategory option. Here, neither the first or second selected locatingcategory option limit the selections from the communication mediumcategory 27. Therefore, one or more of personal area networks (PAN),Bluetooth (BT), cellular, WLAN, and cellular phone peer network isselected as the third selected locating category option.

FIG. 8 is another example of selecting a plurality of locating categoryoptions. In this example, a subscriber device 22 is affiliated with aparent that wishes to track a child's location with user device 12. Theparent requests proximal geographical tracking information as theinitial locating parameter 15. For instance, the parent is interested inknowing whether the child is in a certain area (e.g., at school) butdoes not need to know an exact location. As another example, based onrules 123 established by the control server, proximal geographicaltracking information is selected based on defined occurrences (e.g., thecontrol server receives an update from user device 12 that user device12 has arrived at a particular location that the subscriber device 22has defined as an area to always provide proximal tracking information).As another example, user device 12 indicates that proximal geographicaltracking information is requested (e.g., the child initiates tracking ata certain time based on a parent instruction, user device 12 contacts asensor that indicates proximal tracking, etc.). Based on this initiallocating parameter 15, the locating function category 25 is selected asthe first locating category 122. Proximal geographical locating is thenselected from the locating function category 25 as the first selectedlocating category option when available.

Because the proximal geographical locating option of the locatingfunction category 25 is selected as the first selected locating categoryoption, the second locating category option is selected to achieveproximal geographical tracking. For example, the location modalitycategory 23 is selected as the second locating category 124. One or moreof cellular coverage area, Wi-Fi coverage area, RFID, and Bluetooth (BT)are selected from the location modality category 23 as the secondselected locating category option. For example, Wi-Fi coverage area isselected when available (e.g., a broad Wi-Fi MAC address or SSID canprovide a proximal location without resorting to true triangulation).Modalities that are most useful for accurate tracking (e.g., GPS, WLANtriangulation, and cellular triangulation) are eliminated as options.

A third locating category option is then selected from the thirdlocating category (the communication medium category 27) based on atleast one of the first selected locating category option and the secondselected locating category option to produce a third selected locatingcategory option. Here, neither the first or second selected locatingcategory option limit the selections from the communication mediumcategory 27. Therefore, one or more of personal area networks (PAN),Bluetooth (BT), cellular, WLAN, and cellular phone peer network isselected as the third selected locating category option.

FIG. 9 is another example of selecting a plurality of locating categoryoptions. In this example, a subscriber device 22 is affiliated with aparent that wishes to track a child's location with user device 12. Whenlocation tracking is desired (e.g., based on a control serverestablished rule, sensor data, and/or a device input), the user device12 indicates that it only has connectivity via a cellular phone peernetwork. Based on this initial locating parameter 15, the communicationmedium category 27 is selected as the first locating category 122 andthe cellular phone peer network option of the communication mediumcategory 27 is selected as the first selected locating category optionwhen available.

Because the only communication medium available to the user device 12 isthe cellular phone peer network, the second locating category 124(location modality category 23) is limited to cellular modality options(e.g., cellular triangulation and cellular coverage area). One or moreof cellular triangulation and cellular coverage area are selected as thesecond selected locating category option. A third locating categoryoption is then selected from the third locating category 126 (locatingfunction category 25) based on one or more of the first and secondselected locating category options. If both second selected locatingcategory options are available (i.e., cellular triangulation andcellular coverage area are both available), one or more of proximitylocating, route tracking, proximal geographical locating, tracking rate,and accurate geographical locating can be selected from the locatingfunction category 25 as the third selected locating category option. If,however, only cellular coverage area is available, the locating functionoptions are limited to one or more of proximity locating, routetracking, proximal geographical locating, and tracking rate.

FIG. 10 is another example of selecting a plurality of locating categoryoptions. In this example, a subscriber device 22 is affiliated with aparent that wishes to track a child's location with user device 12. Thesubscriber device 22 indicates that Bluetooth (BT) tracking is availablein the present location. For example, the parent and child are at themall and the only location tracking modality present is Bluetooth. Asanother example, based on rules 123 established by the control server,Bluetooth is selected as a preferred location tracking modality underdefined circumstances. As another example, the user device 12 indicatesthat BT tracking is available. Based on this initial locating parameter15, the location modality category 23 is selected as the first locatingcategory 122 and the Bluetooth option of the location modality category23 is selected as the first selected locating category option whenavailable.

Because the only location modality available is Bluetooth, the secondlocating category 124 (communication medium category 27) options arelimited to the personal area network (PAN) option and the Bluetoothoption. The personal area network option or the Bluetooth connectionoption is selected as the second selected locating category option. Athird locating category option is then selected from the third locatingcategory 126 (locating function category 25) based on one or more of thefirst and second selected locating category options. Because onlyBluetooth is available for tracking, one or more of proximity locating,route tracking, proximal geographical locating, and tracking rate can beselected from the locating function category 25 as the third selectedlocating category option.

It is noted that terminologies as may be used herein such as bit stream,stream, signal sequence, etc. (or their equivalents) have been usedinterchangeably to describe digital information whose contentcorresponds to any of a number of desired types (e.g., data, video,speech, audio, etc. any of which may generally be referred to as‘data’).

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “configured to”, “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or“coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/or indirectcoupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes,but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or amodule) where, for an example of indirect coupling, the intervening itemdoes not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its currentlevel, voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein,inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another elementby inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items inthe same manner as “coupled to”. As may even further be used herein, theterm “configured to”, “operable to”, “coupled to”, or “operably coupledto” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections,input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, one or more itscorresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to oneor more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term“associated with”, includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separateitems and/or one item being embedded within another item.

As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicates that acomparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desiredrelationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may beachieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1. As maybe used herein, the term “compares unfavorably”, indicates that acomparison between two or more items, signals, etc., fails to providethe desired relationship.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “processingcircuit”, “processor”, and/or “processing unit” may be a singleprocessing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such aprocessing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of thecircuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module,module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit may be, or furtherinclude, memory and/or an integrated memory element, which may be asingle memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embeddedcircuitry of another processing module, module, processing circuit,and/or processing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory,random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, staticmemory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any devicethat stores digital information. Note that if the processing module,module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more thanone processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located(e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless busstructure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing viaindirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network).Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit,and/or processing unit implements one or more of its functions via astate machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the correspondingoperational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, thecircuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memoryelement may store, and the processing module, module, processingcircuit, and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operationalinstructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/orfunctions illustrated in one or more of the Figures. Such a memorydevice or memory element can be included in an article of manufacture.

One or more embodiments have been described above with the aid of methodsteps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claims. Further, the boundariesof these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined forconvenience of description. Alternate boundaries could be defined aslong as the certain significant functions are appropriately performed.Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily definedherein to illustrate certain significant functionality.

To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence couldhave been defined otherwise and still perform the certain significantfunctionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional buildingblocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scopeand spirit of the claims. One of average skill in the art will alsorecognize that the functional building blocks, and other illustrativeblocks, modules and components herein, can be implemented as illustratedor by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits,processors executing appropriate software and the like or anycombination thereof.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

The one or more embodiments are used herein to illustrate one or moreaspects, one or more features, one or more concepts, and/or one or moreexamples. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, an article ofmanufacture, a machine, and/or of a process may include one or more ofthe aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described with referenceto one or more of the embodiments discussed herein. Further, from figureto figure, the embodiments may incorporate the same or similarly namedfunctions, steps, modules, etc. that may use the same or differentreference numbers and, as such, the functions, steps, modules, etc. maybe the same or similar functions, steps, modules, etc. or differentones.

Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from, and/orbetween elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein maybe analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-endedor differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as asingle-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path.Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it alsorepresents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particulararchitectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise beimplemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, directconnectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between otherelements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.

The term “module” is used in the description of one or more of theembodiments. A module implements one or more functions via a device suchas a processor or other processing device or other hardware that mayinclude or operate in association with a memory that stores operationalinstructions. A module may operate independently and/or in conjunctionwith software and/or firmware. As also used herein, a module may containone or more sub-modules, each of which may be one or more modules.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of theone or more embodiments have been expressly described herein, othercombinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. Thepresent disclosure is not limited by the particular examples disclosedherein and expressly incorporates these other combinations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprises: determining a first locatingcategory of a plurality of locating categories based on an initiallocating parameter, wherein the plurality of locating categoriesincludes a location modality category, a locating function category, anda communication medium category, wherein each of the plurality oflocating categories includes a plurality of locating category options;selecting, when available, a first locating category option from thefirst locating category based on the initial locating parameter toproduce a first selected locating category option; selecting, whenavailable, a second locating category option from a second locatingcategory of the plurality of locating categories based on the firstselected locating category option to produce a second selected locatingcategory option; selecting, when available, a third locating categoryoption from a third locating category of the plurality of locatingcategories based on at least one of the first selected locating categoryoption and the second selected locating category option to produce athird selected locating category option; and establishing locationtracking communication from a first communication device to a secondcommunication device regarding location information of the firstcommunication device based on the first, second, and third selectedlocating category options.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprises:the plurality of locating category options of the location modalitycategory includes global positioning system (GPS), wireless local areanetwork (WLAN) triangulation, cellular triangulation, cellular coveragearea, Wi-Fi coverage area, Bluetooth (BT), and radio frequencyidentification (RFID); the plurality of locating category options of thelocating function category includes proximity locating, route tracking,proximal geographical locating, accurate geographical locating, andtracking rate; and the plurality of locating category options of thecommunication medium category includes personal area networks, BT,cellular, WLAN, and cellular phone peer network.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the initial locating parameter comprises one or more of: anindication from one of the first and second communication devicesprioritizing at least one of the first locating category and the firstselected locating category option; and an indication based onestablished rules regarding locating the first communication device thatprioritizes the first locating category and the first selected locatingcategory option.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprises: determiningthe locating function category as the first locating category based onthe initial locating parameter being a request for accurate geographicallocation of the first computing device; selecting accurate geographicallocating as the first selected locating category option from thelocating function category; selecting one or more of GPS, cellulartriangulation, and wireless local area network (WLAN) triangulation asthe second selected locating category option from the location modalitycategory based on the selection of the accurate geographical locating asthe first selected locating category option; and selecting one or moreof personal area networks, Bluetooth (BT), cellular, WLAN, and cellularphone peer network as the third selected locating category option fromthe communication medium category based on at least one of the firstselected locating category option and the second selected locatingcategory option.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprises: determiningthe locating function category as the first locating category based onthe initial locating parameter being a request for proximal geographicallocation of the first communication device; selecting proximalgeographical locating as the first selected locating category optionfrom the locating function category; selecting one or more of Bluetooth(BT), cellular coverage area, Wi-Fi coverage area, and wireless localarea network (WLAN) as the second selected locating category option fromthe location modality category based on the selection of the proximalgeographical locating as the first selected locating category option;and selecting one of personal area networks, BT, cellular, WLAN, andcellular phone peer network as the third selected locating categoryoption from the communication medium category based on at least one ofthe first selected locating category option and the second selectedlocating category option.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprises:determining the communication medium category as the first locatingcategory based on the initial locating parameter being a notificationthat the first communication device has cellular phone peer networkconnectivity; selecting cellular phone peer network as the firstselected locating category option from the communication mediumcategory; selecting one of cellular triangulation and cellular coveragearea as the second selected locating category option from the locationmodality category the second selected locating category option from thelocating function category based on the selection of the cellular phonepeer network as the first selected locating category option; andselecting one or more of proximity locating, route tracking, proximalgeographical locating, tracking rate, and accurate geographical locatingas the third selected locating category option from the locatingfunction category based on at least one of the first selected locatingcategory option and the second selected locating category option.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 further comprises: determining the location modalitycategory as the first locating category based on the initial locatingparameter being a notification that Bluetooth (BT) tracking is availablein the present location; selecting BT as the first selected locatingcategory option from the location modality category; selecting one ormore of personal area networks and BT as the second selected locatingcategory option from the communication medium category based on theselection of BT as the first selected locating category option; andselecting one or more of route tracking, proximity locating, proximalgeographical locating, and tracking rate as the third locating categoryoption from the locating function category based on at least one of thefirst selected locating category option and the second selected locatingcategory option.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprises: when thesecond selected locating category option is not available: determiningwhether one or more other second locating category options from thesecond locating category are available based on the first selectedlocating category option; when the one or more second locating categoryoptions are available, selecting one of the one or more second locatingcategory options as the second selected locating category option basedon the first selected locating category option; when the one or moresecond locating category options are not available, adjusting theinitial locating parameter to prioritize another locating categoryoption of the first locating category when one or more other firstlocating category options of the first locating category are available;when the one or more other first locating category options areavailable, selecting one of the one or more first locating categoryoptions as the first selected locating category option based on theadjusted initial locating parameter; and when the one or more otherfirst locating category options are not available, waiting apredetermined amount of time for availability of the first selectedlocating category option.
 9. The method of claim 1 further comprises:the first communication device is associated with a person or object forwhich monitoring location is desired; and the second communicationdevice is affiliated with a person desiring to monitor the person orobject for which monitoring location is desired.
 10. A computer readablememory comprises: a first memory element that stores operationalinstructions that, when executed by a processing module causes theprocessing module to: determine a first locating category of a pluralityof locating categories based on an initial locating parameter, whereinthe plurality of locating categories includes a location modalitycategory, a locating function category, and a communication mediumcategory, wherein each of the plurality of locating categories includesa plurality of locating category options; a second memory element thatstores operational instructions that, when executed by a processingmodule causes the processing module to: select, when available, a firstlocating category option from the first locating category based on theinitial locating parameter to produce a first selected locating categoryoption; select, when available, a second locating category option from asecond locating category of the plurality of locating categories basedon the first selected locating category option to produce a secondselected locating category option; select, when available, a thirdlocating category option from a third locating category of the pluralityof locating categories based on at least one of the first selectedlocating category option and the second selected locating categoryoption to produce a third selected locating category option; and a thirdmemory element that stores operational instructions that, when executedby a processing module causes the processing module to: establishlocation tracking communication from a first communication device to asecond communication device regarding location information of the firstcommunication device based on the first, second, and third selectedlocating category options.
 11. The computer readable memory of claim 10further comprises: the plurality of locating category options of thelocation modality category includes global positioning system (GPS),wireless local area network (WLAN) triangulation, cellulartriangulation, cellular coverage area, Wi-Fi coverage area, Bluetooth(BT), and radio frequency identification (RFID); the plurality oflocating category options of the locating function category includesproximity locating, route tracking, proximal geographical locating,accurate geographical locating, and tracking rate; and the plurality oflocating category options of the communication medium category includespersonal area networks, BT, cellular, WLAN, and cellular phone peernetwork.
 12. The computer readable memory of claim 10, wherein theinitial locating parameter comprises one or more of: an indication fromone of the first and second communication devices prioritizing at leastone of the first locating category and the first selected locatingcategory option; and an indication based on established rules regardinglocating the first communication device that prioritizes the firstlocating category and the first selected locating category option. 13.The computer readable memory of claim 10 further comprises: the firstmemory element further stores operational instructions that, whenexecuted by the processing module, causes the processing module to:determine the locating function category as the first locating categorybased on the initial locating parameter being a request for accurategeographical location of the first communication device; and the secondmemory element further stores operational instructions that, whenexecuted by the processing module, causes the processing module to:select accurate geographical locating as the first selected locatingcategory option from the locating function category; select one or moreof GPS, cellular triangulation, and wireless local area network (WLAN)triangulation as the second selected locating category option from thelocation modality category based on the selection of the accurategeographical locating as the first selected locating category option;and select one or more of personal area networks, Bluetooth (BT),cellular, WLAN, and cellular phone peer network as the third selectedlocating category option from the communication medium category based onat least one of the first selected locating category option and thesecond selected locating category option.
 14. The computer readablememory of claim 10 further comprises: the first memory element furtherstores operational instructions that, when executed by the processingmodule, causes the processing module to: determine the locating functioncategory as the first locating category based on the initial locatingparameter being a request for proximal geographical location of thefirst communication device; and the second memory element further storesoperational instructions that, when executed by the processing module,causes the processing module to: select proximal geographical locatingas the first selected locating category option from the locatingfunction category; select one or more of Bluetooth (BT), cellularcoverage area, Wi-Fi coverage area, and wireless local area network(WLAN) as the second selected locating category option from the locationmodality category based on the selection of the proximal geographicallocating as the first selected locating category option; and select oneof personal area networks, BT, cellular, WLAN, and cellular phone peernetwork as the third selected locating category option from thecommunication medium category based on at least one of the firstselected locating category option and the second selected locatingcategory option.
 15. The computer readable memory of claim 10 furthercomprises: the first memory element further stores operationalinstructions that, when executed by the processing module, causes theprocessing module to: determine the communication medium category as thefirst locating category based on the initial locating parameter being anotification that the first communication device has cellular phone peernetwork connectivity; the second memory element further storesoperational instructions that, when executed by the processing module,causes the processing module to: select cellular phone peer network asthe first selected locating category option from the communicationmedium category; select one of cellular triangulation and cellularcoverage area as the second selected locating category option from thelocation modality category based on the selection of the cellular phonepeer network as the first selected locating category option; and selectone or more of proximity locating, route tracking, proximal geographicallocating, accurate geographical locating, and tracking rate as the thirdselected locating category option from the locating function categorybased on at least one of the first selected locating category option andthe second selected locating category option.
 16. The computer readablememory of claim 10 further comprises: the first memory element furtherstores operational instructions that, when executed by the processingmodule, causes the processing module to: determine the location modalitycategory as the first locating category based on the initial locatingparameter being a notification that Bluetooth (BT) tracking is availablein the present location; and the second memory element further storesoperational instructions that, when executed by the processing module,causes the processing module to: select BT as the first selectedlocating category option from the location modality category; select oneor more of personal area networks and BT as the second selected locatingcategory option from the communication medium category based on theselection of BT as the first selected locating category option; andselect one or more of route tracking, proximity locating, proximalgeographical locating, and tracking rate as the third locating categoryoption from the locating function category based on at least one of thefirst selected locating category option and the second selected locatingcategory option.
 17. The computer readable memory of claim 10 furthercomprises: when the second selected locating category option is notavailable: the first memory element further stores operationalinstructions that, when executed by the processing module, causes theprocessing module to: determine whether one or more other secondlocating category options from the second locating category areavailable based on the first selected locating category option; when theone or more second locating category options are available: the secondmemory element further stores operational instructions that, whenexecuted by the processing module, causes the processing module to:select one of the one or more second locating category options as thesecond selected locating category option based on the first selectedlocating category option; and when the one or more second locatingcategory options are not available: a fourth memory element that storesoperational instructions that, when executed by the processing module,causes the processing module to: adjust the initial locating parameterto prioritize another locating category option of the first locatingcategory when one or more other first locating category options of thefirst locating category are available; when the one or more other firstlocating category options are available:  the second memory elementfurther stores operational instructions that, when executed by theprocessing module, causes the processing module to:  select one of theone or more first locating category options as the first selectedlocating category option based on the adjusted initial locatingparameter; and when the one or more other first locating categoryoptions are not available, a fifth memory element that storesoperational instructions that, when executed by the processing module,causes the processing module to:  wait a predetermined amount of timefor availability of the first selected locating category option.
 18. Thecomputer readable memory of claim 10 further comprises: the firstcommunication device is associated with a person or object for whichmonitoring location is desired; and the second communication device isaffiliated with a person desiring to monitor the person or object forwhich monitoring location is desired.